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The Riigikogu is the parliament of Estonia. Its 101 members are elected at general elections for a term of four years. The Riigikogu passes laws and resolutions, exercises parliamentary supervision and ratifies international agreements.

The Riigikogu has 11 standing commitees and 6 select committees. Commitees of investigation and study committees are formed to investigate issues of public interest or problems of significant imprtance.

Riigikogu makes amendments to disputed Gender Equality Act

05.05.2009 / Sitting reviews

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Environmental Charges Act and the Fishing Act (441 SE), initiated by the Government. The Bill specifies the provisions regulating the calculation and payment of the pollution charge for depositing of waste, the fee for mineral rights and the fee for fishing rights.

The Riigikogu suspended the second legislative proceeding of the Act on Amendments to the Gender Equality Act, the Republic of Estonia Employment Contracts Act and the Equal Treatment Act (317 UA), refused to be proclaimed by the President of the Republic. On the motion of the Constitutional Committee, the sections concerning the organisation of elections and the formation of city districts in Tallinn were excluded from the Act. The term for submission of motions to amend is 19 May at 6.00 p.m.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of the Bill on Amendments to § 23³ of the Land Reform Act (472 SE), initiated by the Environment Committee. The Bill provides extension of the current term for approving the list of persons for whose benefit a usufruct on vacant agricultural land is established, which is 1 June 2009, until 1 January 2010.

On the motion of the Environment Committee, the Bill on Amendments to the Nature Conservation Act (457 SE), initiated by the Estonian Green Party Faction, was rejected at the first reading. The result of voting: 47 votes in favour, 34 votes against, 1 abstention.

On the motion of the Finance Committee, the Bill on Amendments to § 4 and § 23 of the Income Tax Act (434 SE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Faction, was rejected at the first reading. The result of voting: 44 votes in favour, 36 votes against.